A mudra is a hand gesture, often used
during meditation or even within some yoga postures to help direct the movement
of Prana,
or life-force energy. There is often
symbolism in the fingers, the shape of the gestures, and many times the mudras
are used to cultivate a specific quality, such as calm, uplifting energy, and
stillness of the mind. You will often
see mudras on the figures in ancient artwork of Asia, as they are symbols in
myths, stories, and figures and add meaning to the art. A deeper study of mudras will show there is
also a therapeutic use for them in your practice. For the sake of this post, I will cover one of my
favorite mudras and one you are probably familiar with, Jnana Mudra.

In Sanskrit, the language of yoga, Jnana means knowledge
or wisdom. This mudra is often used at the
beginning and/or end of a yoga class or meditation to seal the wisdom of your
practice, to fully integrate it into your being. The thumb is symbolic of the Divine Spirit or
Universe and the first finger of the individual self. When the two unite, this is symbolic of the
ultimate goal of yoga, to unite the Divine and the Self and find they are one,
interconnected in this life and the beyond.
In addition to this, the unification of these two fingers directs Prana
through the body in a continuous circle, which is calming and meditative.

To practice the Jnana mudra, first come to a comfortable seated
posture, legs crossed or extended, or even seated in a chair. Allow your spine to grow tall, observing the
natural shape of your spine. Turn the
palms to face up on your knees or thighs.
Gently draw the tips of the thumb and the index finger together,
creating a circle. Extend the other
three fingers away from the palm. Sit
here for a few moments (or as long as you choose), observing both the breath and any sensations that arise
in your hands. Gently release the mudra
when you’re done.